Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is Nathan K, a Google Top Contributor program volunteer (Nexus/Pixel Support Forums), and follower of Benson Leung. I analyzed AUKEYs "Car Charger with USB C & Power Delivery, Dual Port 36W" [Model CC-Y7] This charger does NOT comply with the USB Type-C PowerDelivery2.0 specification version 1.2. Its MAXIMUM safety ratings (5v/3a 9v/2.5a 12v/2a = 24w MAX + 12w Type-A) do not line up with the capacity it advertises electronically to devices (5v/3a 9v/3a 12v/3a = 36w + 12w Type-A), it has awkward overload behavior, and has USB-PD controller firmware bugs. Finally, because of its over-advertisement, it outputs voltages outside USB-PD thresholds when used with compliant cables of mediocre quality. The safety rating mismatch raises significant red flags. This cannot definitively be proven without cracking open the charger and looking at IC ratings. And the PD controller firmware issue, while definitive, will likely will have little effect on typical charging. The charger voltage output itself seems "low noise". But as stated above, it falls outside permissible thresholds and the overcurrent protection doesn't work well. I have to conclude this is a highly flawed, but marginally functional charger. It is up to you whether you trust it with your thousand-dollar phone/laptop to it or not. Personally, I would recommend against it, due to the many red flags suggesting multiple errors at the design/manufacturing/marketing phases. [Section 4.5.2.2.8.1 Attached.SRC Requirements] Regarding the USB-PD controller flaw, the AUKEY CC-Y7 presents a "phantom Ra" termination on the CC2 pin in a particular plug orientation. As a result, the second pin appears to be connected to an Active cable. This is technically a violation of the spec that says "The port shall provide an Rp as specified in Table 4-15." and "For VCONN, do one of two things: o Apply VCONN unconditionally to the CC pin not in the SRC.Rd state, or o Apply VCONN to the CC pin in the SRC.Ra state". This "phantom Ra" will result in a SRC.Ra state on the second pin even if no active cable is connected. Practically, this will have little effect as the CC-Y7 does not/is not required to source Vconn for Active Cables. However, it does clearly illustrate AUKEY is using faulty USB-PD controller firmware, and that there may be additional errors I have not uncovered. [Figure 4-35 0 – 3 A USB PD-based Charger USB Type-C Cable’s Output as a Function of Load] This charger also fails to maintain a flat voltage output (lacks cable IR drop compensation circuitry) and sags at load to outside permissible limits. Although the charger ITSELF maintains voltage between the 12v +5%/-(5%+750mV) limits (12.6-10.65v), it fails to account for the CABLE'S maximum permissible drop of .750 volts. As a result, at load, the CABLE'S OUTPUT sags to 10.4-.750v = 9.65v in a worst-case scenario with a poor-quality (but in-spec-tolerance) cable. [10.2.3 Optional Voltages/Currents] Per the USB-PD spec, this charger claims to be a 24w charger. However, it advertises currents at a 36w level. Ignoring the potential overloading of the internal circuits (which I cannot prove without a destructive teardown), this is a violation of the USB-PD power rules. Specifically, the line that says "A Source shall not advertise Fixed Supply PDO Optional voltages and currents that exceed the PDP." And more importantly, "Ensure the PD Power (PDP) of an adapter SPECIFIED IN WATTS explicitly defines the voltages and currents at each voltage the adapter supports" The rules were originally intended to prevent manufacturers from lying and under-providing. But, per the letter of the spec, it applies just the same for over-advertising. This is because it becomes a "truth in advertising" issue and confuses consumers. (What if a user plugs it in to a "24w (12v/2a) max" cigarette lighter port? The "extra" 36w rating would overload the port without the user knowing.) So it MAY be a design failure, but CERTAINLY is a marketing failure. Additional resources: * Detailed evaluation is available at [...] * A compliance checklist for the AUKEY CC-Y7 is available at [...]